Microsoft’s Latest Updates Have a Bitter Surprise in Store for File History Users
In what’s becoming a disturbing trend, Microsoft’s September 2026 security updates have broken a crucial feature for many home and enterprise users – the built-in File History backup tool. This means that thousands of Windows 10 and 11 users may lose access to their backed-up files, making it difficult to recover accidentally deleted or damaged data.
For those unfamiliar with File History, it’s a built-in utility that automatically saves copies of important files to an external hard drive or network storage location. By default, it backs up all folders under the user’s account profile, including documents, music, pictures, videos, and desktop files. This feature is especially useful for individuals who work on sensitive data and need to ensure their files are safe in case of a system crash or accidental deletion.
However, after installing the September 2026 security updates (specifically KB5124012, KB5124008, and others), some users have reported that File History stops working altogether. Symptoms include application crash events in Event Viewer referencing FileHistory.exe and KERNELBASE.dll, as well as incorrect “Reconnect your drive” messages even when compatible backup drives are connected.
Microsoft has confirmed the issue through a service alert seen by BleepingComputer, stating that affected customers may be unable to create or update backups. The company is working on resolving the problem, but in the meantime, users who rely on File History for data protection should exercise caution and consider using alternative backup solutions.
The September 2026 cumulative updates have been linked to multiple issues affecting Windows users, including Remote Desktop Services failures, Hyper-V problems, and USB audio glitches. In response to these issues, Microsoft has released out-of-band updates to fix some of the problems, but more work remains to be done.
For those affected by this latest bug, it’s essential to remember that data security is a top priority. While File History may not be working as intended, there are other ways to protect your files, such as using external hard drives or cloud storage services like OneDrive. To minimize the risk of losing your backed-up files, consider implementing a comprehensive backup strategy that includes multiple layers of protection.
In conclusion, Microsoft’s latest updates have dealt another blow to Windows users, highlighting the importance of being vigilant and proactive about data security. As we navigate this complex landscape of cybersecurity threats and bugs, it’s crucial to stay informed and adapt our strategies accordingly. By doing so, we can better protect ourselves against potential risks and keep our digital lives safe.
Source: Bleeping Computer — 2026-09-21